Survey Reveals: The Top 10 Grocers Dominating America

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Quick question: Which grocery store do you like best? Admit it; you definitely have a preferred one... and you likely have opinions About what makes it your favorite. How can anyone resist? You probably visit at least once a week, aiming to keep things hassle-free. Even though opinions might differ on which aspect matters most, everyone considers these factors. affordability , convenience, exceptional customer service, and exclusive items that we simply cannot do without. To be honest, I find myself occasionally bypassing significant discounts at another store to shop at my preferred location—this speaks volumes about how much value I place on these aspects, particularly considering the current economic climate!

Now, you might be questioning whether your favorite grocery store truly ranks at the top. Fortunately, a survey conducted by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) offers insight into this, highlighting which stores lead the nation in customer satisfaction. most popular grocery store And discover why shoppers adore it so much. Continue reading for more information—and perhaps uncover your next favorite spot.

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What methods did the research use to identify the leading grocery store?

In the ACSI Retail and Consumer Shipping Study conducted in 2025, 41,850 randomly selected consumers provided feedback on their most recent interactions with major businesses, such as grocery retailers. These participants were reached via email for this research spanning from January through December of 2024.

ACSI subsequently examined the feedback to gauge customer contentment relative to their expectations, perceived quality, and valuation of services. Every outlet was assigned a customer satisfaction rating ranging from zero to 100 points across 18 different metrics such as the accessibility of operating times and site placement, the efficacy of their mobile application, along with the politeness and assistance provided by employees. The establishment achieving the peak score earned the distinction of being crowned the premier supermarket chain for the year 2025.

Which supermarket came out on top?

That might be considered a tricky question since the survey did not identify just one leading grocery store in America; instead, it identified two! The ACSI report reveals this information. Trader Joe’s Publix shared the top position with a score of 84, which was 1 percentage point higher than the following grocery store on the list. The ACSI reported that customers primarily praised "the ease of the curbside pick-up process, convenient store hours and locations, as well as high-quality mobile applications" for their rankings.

Here's an intriguing piece of history: In recent surveys, Trader Joe’s has been leading the pack, although it dropped to second place for a brief period last year. This year, Publix, which was crowned champion alongside Costco and H-E-B in 2024, fell by one percentage point, tying with Trader Joe’s whose score stayed constant. Still, every little victory counts!

Why are these stores so widely favored?

If you're a fan, then you understand—and it's always nice to revisit the reasoning behind your great choice. If you've never been shopping at these stores or have not truly given them an honest shot, this quick guide might convince you to stop by during your next trip for groceries.

Trader Joe’s

There’s plenty to adore at Trader Joe’s, beginning with its impressive range of proprietary brand items such as the renowned Everything but the Bagel Sesame Seasoning Blend, delectable Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Cups (which I particularly enjoy), and distinctive frozen food options. Additionally, Trader Joe’s values customer feedback greatly; this was evident when they held their 16th annual Customer Choice Awards event, encouraging patrons to share which Trader Joe’s-exclusive goods were their favorites.

And then there are the ones mentioned previously. low prices This amount can be reduced even more using the coupons found in the store’s weekly coupon guide. Shoppers stay informed about promotions and everything related to Trader Joe’s through the store’s Fearless Flyer newsletter as well as their dedicated podcast.

Employees are quite content working there as well, and understandably so. The ratings on Glassdoor tend to be favorable, suggesting it’s a great place to work. great place to work , and staff enjoy top-notch benefits such as medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus they receive a 20% discount on store products. Naturally, content employees lead to superior customer service, particularly in this scenario!

Publix

Although Publix operates primarily in the Southeastern region, its influence is significant nationwide. The chain attracts many shoppers due to its competitive pricing; however, what truly sets it apart is its spotless environment and user-friendly design, along with its friendly workforce. A key factor behind this positive atmosphere and thoughtful amenities might be that Publix is owned by its employees—a distinction held by very few companies in the U.S., particularly at such scale. After completing 1,000 work hours annually, staffers receive ownership stakes through company stocks, which motivates them to ensure Publix thrives, often translating into top-notch customer care.

Customers often shout out about the chain’s special offerings, such as its Pub Subs, which have recently become a sensation online. These personalized deli sandwiches, crafted using freshly baked sub rolls prepared every day in-store, are incredibly popular. On platforms like TikTok, you'll come across numerous clips where individuals sample and review these sandwiches, receiving mostly favorable feedback. The best part? You can request additional ingredients not found at the deli counter simply by picking them up from another section; talk about convenience!

Which other supermarkets made it to the top of the list?

  1. Trader Joe’s and Publix
  2. Sam’s Club (Walmart)
  3. Wegmans
  4. H-E-B
  5. Whole Foods (Amazon)
  6. Aldi
  7. Costco
  8. ShopRite
  9. Target

Notably, H-E-B and Costco , which shared the top spot with Publix last year, dropped by 3 and 4 percentage points each in this year’s survey. Wegmans rose by one position compared to last year's ranking , and as a result, Target dropped two positions, putting it at the bottom of the ranking. All other retailers on the list maintained their standings compared to the previous year.

Let's find out if Trader Joe’s and Publix can maintain their performance into next year, and also examine how Costco’s improving reputation and climbing grocery costs might influence future outcomes. At minimum, Publix can rely on getting at least one Pub Sub order from me in 2025.

Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest We're dedicated to generating top-notch content crafted by authors who possess both knowledge and practical experience within their specific fields, collaborating closely with pertinent, certified specialists when needed. Our process hinges on trustworthy original sources such as governmental bodies, professional associations, educational establishments, along with leveraging our writers' firsthand insights whenever suitable. Every piece of information undergoes rigorous fact-checking, supported by reliable references, and is periodically reviewed to confirm ongoing accuracy and relevance. Learn more about our approach here. team , our contributors and ourselves editorial policies .

Sources:

  • ACSI Online Retail Customer Satisfaction Dips as More Than Two-Thirds of Brands Experience Drops, According to ACSI Figures for 2024–2025
  • Trader Joe’s Winners of the 16th Annual Customer Choice Awards
  • ACSI More Than 60% of Retailers Experience Uplifts in Customer Satisfaction, According to ASCI Data; Costco, H-E-B, and Publix Are at the Forefront (2023-2024)
  • Business Insider “I visited Publix for some shopping and understood why people from the South adore it.”
  • CNBC “From talkative staff members to $5 wine: HowTrader Joe’s transforms shoppers into devoted fans”

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